Music gets Melksham's party started

Melksham's young musical talent took centre stage alongside long-established bands last week, as Party in the Park wowed the event’s largest crowds in years.

The annual concert took over the King George V Playing Fields on Saturday from 1pm to 11pm, with only a short break for the town’s carnival procession.

Publicity organiser and compere Bruce Burry said: “Standing up on stage, even in the afternoon I knew there were a lot more than in the last couple of years.

“The acts were all very well-received; local producer Mel Austin brought three of his youngsters, Courtney Buchanan, Tom Vigar and Izzy F, and they did well.

“Ray Jones was there last year with his band, but this year he did a rock version of Mamma Mia, which went down very well, and our ABBA tribute band ABBA Arrival UK were really great, everybody loved them.”

There were displays and performances in a separate arena, including comedy tightrope act Bernie Bennett, martial arts by Matt Fiddes, and dance by former Pan’s People star Dee Dee Wilde and her dance troupe.

It was organised by a group of volunteers supported by local businesses and organisations.

Mr Burry said: “It was well-attended by stallholders, and everyone worked hard to get it all running.

“There are only five of us on the committee and it’s amazing the people who just turn up in the morning on day to help out, and a lot of them have been doing it year on year. We don’t contact them, they just turn up and get on with it, which is great.”